Bottle-filling apparatus



FLL. SHELOR.

BOTTLE FILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 26. 1921.

I Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

. 2 SHLETS-SHEET 47 I8 J? O 51 M P8 54 13 W53 1.,

. SHELOR.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

2 SHtETS-SHEET 2.

BOTTLE FILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 26.1921. 1,413,797.

, tions;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK L. SHELOR, OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL FILLER CORPORATION, OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

BOTTLE-FILLING APPARATUS.

fication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

' The resent invention relates to apparatus for filllng'bottles and other containers, and 1s particularly an improvement over the apparatus disclosed in my copending applications Serial Nos. 226,808 and 238,503 filed April 5 and June 6, 1918, respectively.

It is the object of the invention to provide a filling device adapted especially for the filling of shaker bottles which have 'restricted necks or mouths, whereby to preclude the practical use of a double nozzle for insertion into the bottles, inasmuch as the concentric nozzles, in order to enter through the restricted opening, would have to be so smalluin diameter, as to be delicate and easily bent or. broken, thus rendering such nozzles impractical.

It is an object ofthe invention to provide a filling'device having a novel and improved nozzle construction, for application to bottles having shaker necks or restricted openings,

' and afurther object, in this connection, is to provide such a device havlng an inner nozzle or tube to enter the bottle, and an outer flexible nozzle or tube to serve as a seal to close the bottle from the atmosphere, and to also conform to bottle necks of different. forma- A further object is the provision of a filling device having air suction and liquid conduits, with means for opening the liquid conduit into the air-suction conduit, whereby when the device is removed from the bottles, the air suction will extend into both the air and liquid nozzles, whereby to draw in any remaining liquid so as to avoid the dripping of the liquid from the nozzles when changing from bottle to bottle.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

- Application filed March 26, 1921. Serial No. 455,846.

inafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes can be made within the SCOpe of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated within the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of thefiller head device, including the improvements.

- Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical view of the ap- .paratus.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of one filler head showing the same applied-to one type of shaker bottle.

Fig. 4 is a view of the filler head, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the same applied to another form of bottle neck.

F ig. 5 is a longitudinal vertical section through the air valve.

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail showing the flexible nozzle fitted on and around the shaker nipple of a bottle of the kind shown in Fig. 3.

The apparatus, generally considered, is much the same as those disclosed in the aforesaid applications, including a manually manipulative device having a pair of filler heads 10, as shown. The liquid with which the bottles or vessels are filled, is sup-plied from a tank 11 disposed at a lower level than the bottles or vessels which are being filled, and air suction or a partial vacuum is employed for drawing the liquid into the bottles, and is created by a suitable pump 12 that oper-l ates continually during the use of the apparatus.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown, the filler heads 10 are manipulated by hand for applying'them to and removing them from the bottles, the-change from bottle to bottle being made manually, although it will be apparent that the improvements can be used in a mechanical filler device, within the scope of what is claimed. Each filler head includes ablqck or member 13, a depending tubular stemor nipple 14 having its upper end threaded or otherwise engaged with the member 13, and a second tubular stem or nozzle 15 within the nipple 14 and also having its upper end threaded or otherwise engaged within the member 13. The nozzle or tube 15 is longer than the nipple or stub 14, to project beyond said nipple, and is of sufficiently small diameter to freely enter a restrictedliquid entry passage or channel 16, and the nozzle or tube 13 has a restricted eduction passage or channel 17 for the, outlet of the air from thebottle. Tubes or pipes 18 and 19 are screwed into or otherwise secured to one side and the top of the member 13,-respectively, in communication with the upper ends of the nipple 14 and nozzle 15 for the inlet of liquid and outlet of air through such tubes, respectively.

In order that the tiller head can be used on bottle necks of different formations, and to also seal the bottle during the filling operation, a tube 20 of rubber or other flexible or resilient material is fitted on the nipple 14, and constitutes an outer liquid nozzle, which is shorter. than the nozzle 15, and from which said nozzle 16 projects. The tube or nozzle 20 projects beyond the nipple 14, thereby providing a flexible projecting terminal portion with its interior and exterior surfaces tree and unencumbered which can be expanded and contracted and which will also conform to the neck of the bottle. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, the nozzle 20 fits and seats at its lower end on the end of a shaker nipple 21 formed on the neck of the bottle 20, with the nozzle 15 projecting down through the restricted opening of said nipple, or the nozzle 20 may in some cases fit down on and .around the nipple 21 as seen in Fig. 6. Pressure on the 'filler head will bulge or expand the free portion of the nozzle 20, as shown in Fig. 3, thereby providing a tight fit between said nozzle 20 and the bottle neck, so that when the air is withdrawn from the bottle through the nozzle 18 and tube 19 the suction will extend through the nozzle 20 into the tube 18, for drawing liquid into the bottle under the partial vacuum formed therein. The nozzle 20 also lends itself to the form of bottle neck shown in Fig. 4, having a cavity or recess 23 above a restricted or contracted portion 24 of the neck of the bottle 25. This is another form of shaker bottle, in which a cork or other closure can be fitted in a cavity 23 over the restricted opening, whereas the form of bottle shown in Fig. 3 is adapted to receive a cap or closure over the nipple 21. When using the vfiller head on the bottle 25, the nozzle 20 fits into the cavity 23, and the end of the nozzle is contracted by being pressed into the tapered portion of said cavity, thereby forming a tight seal between said nozzle and the bottle, so that the liquid will be sucked into the bottle when the air is withdrawn. The nozzle 20 thus provides not only a seal between the bottle and filler head, but is also flexible to conform to the ,neck of the bottle. a i

The filler head device, as seenin Fig. 1, is much the same as the one disclosed in apphcatlon Serial No. 238,503, hereinbefore amaze? referred to, with the exception of the improvements herein described. Thus, the tubes 18 and 19 ot' the two pairs converge rearwardly and their rear ends are secured to the respective ti-couplings 26 and 27, and the rear end portions of the tubes 18 and 19 are 'l'astened within the lower and upper clamps 28 and 29, respectively, which are carried by the lower end of the depending strap 30 at the rear end of the longitudinal handle 31. A depending strap 32 carried by the forward end of the handle 31 has a T-hcad or cross pieces 33 at its lower end provided with horizontal slots 34 receiving clamping screws 35 carried by the members 13. The tubes 13 and. 19 are bendable or flexible. whereby when the screws 35 are loosened the filler heads 10 can be moved toward or away from one another, to space them according to the spacing of the bottles being filled. Said filler heads are disposed at opposite sides of the vertical plane of the handle 31, whereby downward pressure on the hand grasping the handle 31 will push both filler heads down on the bottles with about equal pressure.

The coupling 26 is connected by a flexible tube or hose 3G with a pipe 37 leading downwardly into the tank 11, while the coupling 27 isconnected by a similar tube or hose 38 with a trap 39, whereby said tubes 36 and 38 permit the hand filler head device to be manipulated in applying same to the different bottles in a tray or the like. The tray 39 is for catching any liquid that flows from the filler heads through the tube 38, and atube or pipe 40 leads from the trap 39 to a reclaiming device 41, from which a tube or pipe 42 leads to the pump 12, whereby the air is drawn from the filler heads through the tube 38, trap 39, tube 40, device 41 and tube 42. Any liquid trapped within the trap 39 can drain down through the pipe 43 back into the tank 11. The tank 11 is preferably kept filled up to a predetermined level by means of liquid supplied from a reservoir or other source (not shown) through a pipe 44:, and the liquid level in the tank 11 is maintained by means of a float valve 45 controlling the discharge from the pipe l4. This will maintain a predetermined distance or height X between the level of the liquid in the tank 11 and the level to which the bottles are to be filled, as shown in Fig. 2. This apparatus, as shown in Fig. 2, is substantially the same as disclosed in the aforesaid applications, and the operation is also practically the same. When the filler heads are placed on the bottles, the nozzles 20 serve as seals whereby the air in being drawn through the nozzles 15 to pump 12, will create partial vacuum in the bottles, whereby the suction through the nozzles 20 and tubes 18 will extend into the tubes 36 and 37, thereby drawing the liquid into the bottles up to a level is caught in the trap 39. When the filler heads are removed from the bottles this will open both the air and liquid conduits 'to the atmosphere, so that the liquid in the liquid conduit will flow back into the tank 11 by siphonic action.

In'order that drippin of the liquid from the liquid nozzles can he prevented when changing from bottle to bottle, means is provided for opening the liquid conduit into the air conduit, whereby the air suction extends into both the liquid and air nozzles when changing from the filled to the empty bottles. In the arrangement .as, shown, the couplings 26 and 27 are connected by a cross connection 46 providing a passage between the air and liquid conduits and this cross passage is normally closed by a valve to pre-j vent interference between the air and liquid streams. The connection 46 is formed with a valve casing 47 disposed between and parallel with the couplings 26 and 27, and a piston valve 48 is slidable in said casing 47 and has a port 49. The valve normally closes the cross passage and when slid forwardly, will bring the port-49 into registration with said passageyto establish communication between the air and liquid conduits. Plugs 50 and 51 are screwed or otherwise secured to the rear and forward ends of thecasing 47', respectively, and a coiled expansion spring 52 is confined between the valve 48 and plug 51, to normally move the valve rearwardly and close the cross passage. This air valve 1s controlled manually, and, for this slidably t rough the plug 51 and is attached at its rear end to the valve 48, while the forward end of said rod is connected to the lower arm of a thumb lever 54 fulcrumed,

' as at 55, to the front handle strap 32. The

upper arm of the lever 54 is arranged conveniently at the forward end of the handle 31, whereby the thumb can be placed over the lever 54 to press said lever rearwardly,

when the filler heads are removed from the" bottles.

-With the use of the .cross passage andmanually operable valve, said valve can be 0 ened, when the filler heads are lifted from t e bottles, by pressing the lever 54 with the thumb, so'that the -a1r suction will extend through the cross connection '46 into the liquid'tubes 18 and nozzles 20. Thus, air is not only drawn into the air nozzles 15, but

- is also drawn into the liquid nozzles 20, in order that any drops of liquid remaining in 'the nozzles are drawn u wardly therein,

thereby preventing the liquid from dripping urpose, a wire or rod 53 extends.

from the nozzles in changing from bottle to bottle. This avoids waste of liquid, and also the soiling of the labels on the bottles. Inasmuch as air is admitted through the liquid as well as the air nozzles, the suction 70.

in the liquid tube or hose 36 will not be sufficient for raising the liquid from the tank 11 when the air valvejis open, which would, if it occurred, of course be objectionable.

Then, when the filler heads are placed on the empty bottles, the lever 54 is released'so that the air valve is again closedby the spring 52, thereby preventing interference between the streams of air and liquid when the nozzles 20 are pressed down on the empty bottles, which will start the filling thereof.

The present apparatus, like those disclosedin the aforesaid applications, has the advantage of detecting broken or imperfect bottles, inasmuch as the admission of air through a crack or hole in the bottle, will prevent the formation of a artial vacuumtherein, so that the bottle w1ll not be filled or the liquid wasted.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A filler device having air suction and liquid conduits with nozzles at the ends thereof, one nozzle being .within the other and projecting therefrom to enter a restricted portion of a bottle neck, and the outer nozzle having a projecting free flexible portion spaced from the inner nozzle and capable of being expanded over a bottle neck or to be pushed into and compressed within the tapered cavity of a bottle neck.-

2. A filler device having air suction and liquid conduits with concentric nozzles at 'the ends thereof, the outer nozzle having a projecting flexible and resilient tubular terminal portion free and unencumbered on the interior surface thereof to expand and 'slip on the neck of a bottle or othercom.

tainer to embrace and seal same.

3. A filler head for a filling apparatus having air suction and liquid nozzles, the air. suction nozzle being within the liquid nozzle and projecting beyond same to enter the restricted portion of 'a bottle neck, and the liquid nozzle having a projecting free flexible portion to either expand and fit on a bottle neck or to be pushed into and compressed within the tapered cavity of a bottle neck. 4. A filler head for a filling apparatus havingconcentric nozzles, one for the outlet portion of the outer 5. A filler head fona filling apparatus having concentric nozzles, the outer nozzle being for the entry of liquid and having a projecting flexible and resilient tubular terminal portion free and unencumbered on the interior surface thereof to expand and slip on the neck or a bottle or other container to embrace and seal same, the inner nozzle being for the outlet of air and oil sufiiciently small diameter to enter a restricted opening in such neck, and projecting beyond said outer nozzle,

6. A filler head for filling apparatus comprising a member, a nipple projecting from said member, an inner nozzle connected to said member and projecting through said nipple, air suction and llqllld tubes connected to said member in communication with said nipple and nozzle, respectively, and. a

and liquid conduits with means for connec-- tion to bottles or containers, and means for opening the liquid conduit into the air suction conduit for the suction of air into both conduits.

8. A filling apparatus embodying air suction and liquid conduits having terminal mirage? nozzles for communication with bottles or containers, a cross connection between said conduits, and means for normally closing said connection and operable for opening same for the suction of air into both the air and liquid nozzles.

9. A filling apparatus embodying air suction and liquid conduits having terminal nozzles for communication with bottles or containers, and means controllable for openmeans underthe control of the hand for opening the liquid conduit into the air conduit for the suction or air into both the air and liquid nozzles.

11. A filling apparatus embodying air suction and liquid conduits having terminal nozzles for communication with bottles or containers, and including a device to be grasped and manipulated by hand, a cross connection between said conduits, a valve normally closing said connection and means under the control of the hand ior opening said valve.

lln testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

FRED lL. SHELOR. 

